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Philippines on alert as Typhoon Koppu nears Philippines on alert as Typhoon Koppu nears
(about 9 hours later)
The Philippines is preparing for a typhoon that is forecast to dump heavy rain and cause severe flooding. Authorities in the Philippines have cancelled flights and ordered thousands of people living in coastal areas to evacuate as Typhoon Koppu approaches.
President Benigno Aquino warned that Typhoon Koppu - which is due to hit early on Sunday - could bring up to 12 hours of torrential rain. The typhoon is about 170 km (105 miles) off the northeast coast and is expected to make landfall later on Sunday.
Local authorities have been urged to evacuate residents in flood-prone areas along the country's north-eastern coast. Disaster officials said a few thousand people living in vulnerable coastal areas had already sought shelter.
The Philippines is still reeling from Super Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 6,300 people in November 2013.The Philippines is still reeling from Super Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 6,300 people in November 2013.
Haiyan, the strongest storm ever recorded on land, destroyed entire towns.Haiyan, the strongest storm ever recorded on land, destroyed entire towns.
Typhoon Koppu has produced winds of up to 180km/h (115mph) and is slow moving, meaning it could bring intense rain over a long period of time. The wind could be strong enough to blow down trees, rip roofs off buildings and threaten power supplies.Typhoon Koppu has produced winds of up to 180km/h (115mph) and is slow moving, meaning it could bring intense rain over a long period of time. The wind could be strong enough to blow down trees, rip roofs off buildings and threaten power supplies.
The first heavy rain was expected in parts of the northern island of Luzon on Saturday. "We are now forcing the people to evacuate in coastal areas and river banks to minimise loss of life," said Alexander Pama, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
"The situation is critical because the winds are getting stronger and it will get stronger as [Koppu] moves closer," he added.
Airport authorities have grounded 14 domestic flights, while the Coast Guard has imposed a "no sail" policy and suspended a search for a missing yacht with four on board in the South China Sea.
Why is Koppu slow-moving? Chris Fawkes, BBC Weather Centre, explains:Why is Koppu slow-moving? Chris Fawkes, BBC Weather Centre, explains:
There are two typhoons in the west Pacific at the moment - Typhoon Champi sits just to the east of Koppu.There are two typhoons in the west Pacific at the moment - Typhoon Champi sits just to the east of Koppu.
The complex interaction between these two typhoons and the warm air within these storms helps to build a ridge of high pressure over Taiwan this weekend. It is this ridge that effectively traps typhoon Koppu over the Philippines for a number of days rather than it being able to turn away from the Philippines and out of harm's way to the South China Sea.The complex interaction between these two typhoons and the warm air within these storms helps to build a ridge of high pressure over Taiwan this weekend. It is this ridge that effectively traps typhoon Koppu over the Philippines for a number of days rather than it being able to turn away from the Philippines and out of harm's way to the South China Sea.
Some computer models suggest the storm system will still be affecting the Philippines into the middle of next week allowing colossal amounts of rain to accumulate - 1m (39in) of rain is possible. Such extreme rainfall would bring some severe flooding to Luzon.Some computer models suggest the storm system will still be affecting the Philippines into the middle of next week allowing colossal amounts of rain to accumulate - 1m (39in) of rain is possible. Such extreme rainfall would bring some severe flooding to Luzon.
In his television address, Mr Aquino urged the estimated six million people in the typhoon's direct path to listen to government warnings and be ready to evacuate their homes if necessary. "Soldiers with bull horns were going around coastal villages forcing people to flee," Vir Malabanan, a resident told Reuters by phone from Santiago, in Isabela province.
"We've been experiencing heavy rain and strong winds for hours. We no longer have power in the province, so we rely on radio sets for news."
Rain has already reached Manila, though winds are not expected to be strong enough in the capital to cause damage.
In a television on Friday address, President Benigno Aquin urged the estimated six million people in the typhoon's direct path to listen to government warnings and be ready to evacuate their homes if necessary.
He said aid agencies had already distributed emergency supplies to evacuation centres.He said aid agencies had already distributed emergency supplies to evacuation centres.
"Your government is here to help us achieve zero casualties," Mr Aquino said."Your government is here to help us achieve zero casualties," Mr Aquino said.
"But I must emphasise, each local government unit, community and Filipino that will be affected has the duty to co-operate in the collective action we are taking to overcome the challenges ahead."
Mr Aquino added: "We have assets at the ready... to respond to any eventuality. However, we are dealing with nature so we don't really know what will happen."
The Philippines weather service warned residents on the east coast of Luzon to be ready for possible storm surges of more than 2m (6ft).The Philippines weather service warned residents on the east coast of Luzon to be ready for possible storm surges of more than 2m (6ft).
Meanwhile, the Philippine military in northern Luzon has been placed on alert for disaster operations.Meanwhile, the Philippine military in northern Luzon has been placed on alert for disaster operations.
Typhoon Koppu, also known as Lando, is not due to leave the Philippines until Tuesday, when it will be heading towards Taiwan.Typhoon Koppu, also known as Lando, is not due to leave the Philippines until Tuesday, when it will be heading towards Taiwan.
Are you in the Philippines? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments.Are you in the Philippines? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments.
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